Owning Life

I don't know why I love this phrase so much, but there is something magical about the phrase "owning life" to me. If you aren't familiar with it, just imagine you made the game winning shot from the half-court line while in overtime winning the NCAA championship. Well, that's a bit of an overstatement, but still, it does feel great (the owning life portion…I've never played in the NCAA…)

Anyways, today was a day I felt like I really was beginning to live in China. A friend and I got coffee together, sat and divulged about all of our transition wounds and depth cravings, and did life. Gosh, you don't know just how long you've been drowning until someone comes and revives you.  P.S. The coffee was delicious and strong! 

After that, I went to find the print shop a friend had taken me to a couple days before. I have been given the opportunity to teach here in China, but there is a lack of creative materials  -especially decorative, educational, posters. So, I had my own printed. Well, I brought my friend with me (which can always be a big test to your pride on whether you can find the store again or not) and we found it! I got my posters, was able to thank the lady in Chinese and offer my goodbye. Success. I'm sure I butchered the words, but at least I didn't just smile and nod. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE or I will never get past the "I feel like a babbling moron and you barely understand me" phase. 

My friend mentioned needing to go to grocery shop and to Carrefour and said she was just going to take a taxi. Instead, I showed her how to walk there (only about 20-25 min), some local eateries and fruit stands, and a shockingly quiet(er) part of the city. We didn't get lost and I felt like a pro. Alright pride, simmer down. 

I am just so excited and grateful that for the first time I am beginning to feel like I am not just a leech sucking everything out of the older staff, but am finally being able to maneuver on my own and help others. What a great feeling of freedom. I look forward to the day that I can order and pick up everything in Chinese, but one step at a time.